Official Boston Red Sox Thread (pitching, win, game, manager)

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by aardvarks

absolute nonsense, the Sox made the playoffs twice and just missed twice. that happens when it' a 3 team race. I supposed Madden and his Rays choked the year they didn't make it? we're held to a ridiculously high standard. win the world series every year or you choked. I refuse to buy into that line of thinking.

The Redsox have alot more talent and alot more resources than the Rays. With what the sox have they should be in the playoffs practically every year.

[filihok]

Originally Posted by jdm2008

The Redsox have alot more talent and alot more resources than the Rays. With what the sox have they should be in the playoffs practically every year.

Resources, yes.
The talent is pretty close. Close enough that the Rays, Sox and Yanks should all be in competition for 2 playoff spots for the next few years.

[Ridgerunner]

Originally Posted by filihok

Resources, yes.
The talent is pretty close. Close enough that the Rays, Sox and Yanks should all be in competition for 2 playoff spots for the next few years.

I think that if the Yanks and Sox don't beef up their pitching they'll both be looking up at the Rays next year.

[filihok]

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

I think that if the Yanks and Sox don't beef up their pitching they'll both be looking up at the Rays next year.

As I said before, all three teams are very close together in talent.

None of the three teams are going to take a big hit in talent
Boston could lose:
Big Papi and Papelbon.
Drew, Scutaro, V-Tek and Wake are also free agents. But are all replaceable. They'll be looking for another OFer to replace Drew, unless they think Reddick is a starter-I don't.
They are in a bit of a shambles. Which means they'll win at least 90 games. Must be rough to be a Red Sox.

The Yankees could lose:
Sabathia, Swisher, Garcia, Colon and Soriano
Though I think it's highly likely Sabathia returns. It'll be hard to find starters that will match Fred and Bart's production. They'll be active in free agency. Duh. With a focus on finding pitchers.
Swisher has an option. He'll probably stay. Montero should replace Posada at DH and backup catcher-unless he's traded for pitching.

The Rays could lose:
Shoppach, Damon, Farnsworth and BJ Upton
Upton is arbitration eligible and will earn a hefty raise, which the Rays probably won't want to pay. Desmond Jennings looks poised to take of CF anyway. That still leaves them a LF, DH and 1B short.

They have pitching to spare with:
Price
Shields
Neimann
Hellickson
Davis
Moore
Cobb
Shields is most likely to go. Coming off a big season and scheduled for a big raise up to $7 million. A trade there can easily bring in a OF/DH/1B type.

With the Rays' youth and depth of pitching, they should be able to hang around with the big boys for the next few years but they aren't without questions.
Pitching, the Rays' strength, is more volatile than hitting.
Their hitting, isn't real good outside of Zobrist and Longoria

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by aardvarks

absolute nonsense, the Sox made the playoffs twice and just missed twice. that happens when it' a 3 team race. I supposed Madden and his Rays choked the year they didn't make it? we're held to a ridiculously high standard. win the world series every year or you choked. I refuse to buy into that line of thinking.

It's not nonsense and the sports writers in Boston are writing about it daily. You seem to have your blinders on. Better take them off before you trip and hurt yourself.

[Ridgerunner]

I think choke is a silly derogatory term because it does not acknowledge the winning team's accomplishment.

[dapanza107]

Time to bring this old thread out of the closet!

C'mon guy's!!! They've FINALLY won their 1st game already! 1-3 isn't so bad now. Let's get some activity in this thread going

[SNEwx_46]

Originally Posted by dapanza107

Time to bring this old thread out of the closet!

C'mon guy's!!! They've FINALLY won their 1st game already! 1-3 isn't so bad now. Let's get some activity in this thread going

It could definitely be a rough April, that's for sure. 4 against Tampa starting tomorrow, then Texas and New York to follow... we shall see.

[jbub22]

I am happy to see the Sox winning but those last 2 wins have been blowouts thus hiding the glaring problem...a closer! The Sox should be searching the market while the bullpen develops. Waiting too long could be disastrous.

[Lancet71]

Originally Posted by jbub22

I am happy to see the Sox winning but those last 2 wins have been blowouts thus hiding the glaring problem...a closer! The Sox should be searching the market while the bullpen develops. Waiting too long could be disastrous.

I am a Yankee fan and i'm surprised this is an issue. Hands down, Bard should have been given the job.